North Kansas City Schools sets 2026 tax rate, adopts updated budget and approves insurance renewals

The North Kansas City Schools Board of Education on Sept. 30 approved the district’s final tax rate for fiscal 2026, adopted an updated September budget reflecting stronger-than-expected revenue, and authorized annual renewals of property, liability and workers’ compensation insurance.

Treasury and tax rate

Matt Fritz, presenting the tax-rate package and budget updates, said: "Each year before October 1, the board of education is required to set tax rates for, by fund for the upcoming year." Fritz told the board the district’s operating levy was calculated at 4.0643 mills after a required rollback of 0.2438 mills; the debt-service levy was 1.43 mills, for a combined rate of 5.4943 mills, a 0.1214-mill reduction from the previous year. The board set that rate by voice vote.

Why it matters

Fritz said assessed valuation rose substantially since the June estimates, increasing by $303,700,000 and producing about $13,500,000 more in tax revenue than projected in the adopted June budget. The September update also reflects a higher state funding estimate after the district used the full $71.45 per pupil foundation amount now in effect.

Budget changes and fund balance

The board adopted the revised September…